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1 killed, 5 injured in boiler blast at Ludhiana Verka milk plant
Kunal Jain, 43, sustained serious injuries and was rushed to DMCH, Ludhiana, where he later died, investigation underway.
A late-night explosion at the Verka Milk Plant on Ferozepur Road in Ludhiana on Wednesday left one worker dead and five others seriously injured, officials said on Thursday.
The incident took place in the boiler section of the air heater unit, according to sub-inspector Aditya Sharma, the station house officer of Sarabha Nagar. After the mishap, Verka Milk Plant officials formed a technical committee to investigate the reasons for the explosion.
“Preliminary investigation suggests that the blast took place in the boiler. Six workers were present at the site at the time of the incident,” the SHO said.
One of the workers, Kunal Jain, 43, sustained severe injuries and was rushed to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), where he later died. The other injured — Ajit Singh, Puneet Kumar, Kulwant Singh, Davinder Singh Lalton, and Gurtej Singh, all residents of Ludhiana — are undergoing treatment at different hospitals.
Jain, a resident of Haqiqat Nagar in Haibowal, was reportedly the in-charge of the air heater section at the government-owned Punjab State Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation Limited (MILKFED) plant. He is survived by his wife, who also works at the plant on contract, and two children.
According to Jain’s friends, he had been attending a birthday celebration when he received an urgent call from the plant, asking him to inspect the boiler. “Initially, he said he would go in the morning, but when the caller insisted, he left the party. Soon after, we heard about the tragedy,” one of Jain’s friends said.
Police officials said they are investigating why workers were present inside the facility on Vishwakarma Day (October 22) — a day when most industrial units traditionally remain closed. “We are coordinating with the plant’s management, and statements from the staff will be recorded to determine any negligence,” the SHO said.
General Manager (GM) of the plant Daljit Singh refuted the allegations of forcing Jain to come for checking the boiler. He said the milk plant functions even on Vishwakarma Day. They have resumed work after performing rituals. Jain was a dedicated and most experienced worker and they regret his demise.
The colleagues of Jain and other protesters gathered outside the milk plant on Thursday and demanded compensation and a government job for his family.
According to the Sarabha Nagar SHO, the family’s statement is yet to be recorded, as they are holding talks with the Verka Milk Plant officials for compensation and government job for one member of the family.
